US media unites to hit back at Trump attacks

HUNDREDS of media outlets have come together to hit back at Donald Trump’s fierce attacks on the Press.

In editorials yesterday, more than 350 newspapers across the US criticised the president for repeatedly accusing media outlets of ‘fake news’. He has also previously branded news organisations ‘the enemy of the American people’.

The campaign was led by The Boston Globe, which wrote that labelling the Press the enemy was ‘un-American’. It added: ‘The greatness of America is dependent on the role of a free Press to speak the truth to the powerful.’ The Des Moines Register in Iowa wrote: ‘The true enemies of the people – and democracy – are those who try to suffocate truth by vilifying and demonising the messenger.’

Mr Trump has repeatedly lambasted and tried to discredit media organisations. Only yesterday, he tweeted: ‘THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA IS THE OPPOSITION PARTY.’ He later added that he wanted a free Press, but added: ‘Much of what it says is FAKE NEWS, pushing a political agenda or just plain trying to hurt people. ’

His press secretaries have also attacked journalists. Media groups have expressed concerns that the President’s constant tirades could put their members at risk. Yesterday, some prominent newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal and The San Francisco Chronicle said they would not be taking part in the collective effort.

But scores of others, from across the world, supported the cause on social media, tweeting the hashtag ‘Free Press’. The European Parliament’s chief negotiator Guy Verhofstadt posted: ‘Journalists are not the enemy’.

FORMER CIA director John Brennan said it is ‘hogwash’ for Donald Trump to deny his election team colluded with the Kremlin. He lashed out after being stripped of his security clearance, describing it as ‘an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him’.